Engine or machine frame structure



c. J. HlND 3,183,794

ENGINE OR MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 18, 1965 Filed Feb. 3. 1964 \H I/ a; @U J z j May 18, 1965 Filed Feb- 3. 1964 C. J. HIND ENGINE OR MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 LZZJEIO- .f kw

May 18, 1965 c. J. HlND ENGINE OR MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 3, 1964 May 18, 1965 Filed Feb. 3, 1964 C. J. HIND ENGINE 0R MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 1965 c. J. HIND 3,183,794

ENGINE OR MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 3, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 18, 1965 c. J. HIND 3,183,794

ENGINE OR MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 3, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent Of Free 3,l83,74 Patented May 18, 1965 3,183,794 ENGINE R MACHINE FRAME STRUCTURE Cecil J. Hind, Broadway, Lincoln, England, assignor to Ruston & Hornsby Limited, Lincoln, England, a comparry of Great Britain Filed Feb. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 341,959 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Feb. 6, 1963, 4,775/ 63 14 Claims. (Cl. 92-146) This invention relates to a frame structure for an engine or machine having reciprocating or rotating parts or both, such as an internal combustion piston engine or a piston compressor or the like.

A conventional housing for such an engine or machine may be stiffened by adding bracing in the form of tie bars, latticework, or shaped bracing members, the bracing making a repeated cruciform or triangular pattern. The use of such a pattern is known to be a method of both adding stiffness to and transmitting stresses within the structure. In distinction from conventional latticework, which is added to an existing frame to confer additional strength, the present invention is a frame structure in which a lattice formation is designed to contain and distribute most or all of the loads and stresses. A structure according to the invention may be considered as a basic frame structure in which the stiffness is conferred and the stresses transmitted only or mainly by means of an interconnected system of members arranged in lattice formation making a repeated cruciform or triangular pattern.

The invention provides a lightweight basic frame structure of suflicient strength and stiffness to contain or transmit to foundations any normal internal or external load applied thereto without positional deflection of highly stressed and/ or loaded members such as crankshaft bearing members and the like. The design of the frame structure ensures that loads and stresses applied to one member are not localised but are transmitted to and distributed among adjacent members, and the basic structure is designed to contain no material which does not contribute to such transmission and distribution of loads and stresses, although components necessary to the operation of the engine or machine may be mounted upon various parts of or extensions to the basic frame, and lightweight cladding material may be added.

According to one aspect of the invention, in an engine or machine in which forces in one part of the engine or machine, due for instance to expansion or compression of gas or gasses, are converted to, or are caused by, torque in a crankshaft carried by bearings in another part of the engine or machine, the said two parts of the engine or machine are connected by a structure which at least includes a series of linear members arranged in cruciform or triangular formation substantially to absorb the torsional component at least of the reactionary forces between said two parts.

According to another aspect of the invention, a frame structure for an engine or machine, said frame structure consisting of two main parts, which may be constructed integrally or in two separate parts and later secured together, namely, a housing and a bedplate, said structure having longitudinal members parallel to the axis of the principal rotating member to support cylinders and cylinder heads or other static operating members, and lateral members in a plane normal to the said axis to support main journal bearings, is characterised in that most or all loads and forces to which the structure is subject are applied to the said longitudinal and lateral members and are transmitted from one said member to any other member or members only or mainly by an interconnected system or trianguloid structural members, or cruciform structural members. The said interconnected system of trianguloid members comprises either rods, tubes, or the like, or shaped units, arranged in lattice formation between said longitudinal and lateral members to form therewith an interconnected and repeated pattern of substantially trianguloid motif. The said interconnected system of cruciform members similarly comprises either rods, tubes or the like, or shaped units, arranged in lattice formation between said longitudinal and lateral members to form an interconnected and repeated pattern of substantially cruciform motif. Each end and corner of each said trianguloid or cruciform member is substantially coincident with an end or corner of at least one other member. All the said members are secured together where they cross and where their ends or corners coincide.

According to yet another aspect of the invention a unitary or two-part frame structure in which gas pressures and mechanical forces external to the relatively moving parts are carried by two parts of the said frame structure comprises: a housing in which all the structural members except the longitudinal members parallel to the axis of a principal rotating member are lattices oblique with respect to the cylinders, each individual member of each lattice crossing at least one other individual lattice member and each end of each lattice member being substantially coincident with the end of at least one other lattice member; and a bedplate in which all the structural members except the longitudinal members parallel to the said axis and the lateral journal bearing members are lattices lying in planes parallel to the said axis, each individual lattice member crossing at least one other lattice member and each end of each lattice member being substantially coincident with the end of at least one other latice member. All the lattice members are secured together where they cross and where their ends coincide, and are secured to other members where they meet or pass.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a frame structure in which gas and inertia forces are carried and transmitted by members in planes normal to the axis of a principal rotating member has cruciform or trianguloid members arranged in lattice formation in planes parallel to the said axis whereby torque reaction is carried and has members parallel to the said axis and cooperating with the other said members whereby externally applied mechanical forces are carried.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, a frame structure for a multi-cylinder engine or machine has each cylinder or other static operating member radially surrounded by a system of structural members arranged in inter-connected cruciform or trianguloid lattice formation.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, a frame structure comprises at least two sheets or webs joined together seriatim by pairs of six or any greater even number of struts so arranged that at least two struts are attached to each sheet or web at each point of attach ment. Each strut is a rigid member capable of transmitting compression and may also be capable of transmitting tension.

The following description relates to the drawings accompanying this specification, of which drawings the several figures are numbered consecutively for convenience. In the drawings all of which are exemplary only,

FIGURE 1 is a part cutaway side elevation of a frame structure in accordance with this invention applied to a multi-cylinder internal-combustion reciprocating-piston engine having a single bank of vertical cylinders arranged in line;

FIGURE 2 is a section on the line A-A of FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3 is a section on the line BB of FIGURE 2;

again lies oblique with respect each end of each member is substantially coincident with SASS/79d FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention as applied to a similar engine to that to which the embodiment of FIGURE 5 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 showing the invention applied to an engine having two banks 'of cylinders in V formation and having an underslug axis: namely a cylinder housing top plate or sheet 13, an intermediate plate or sheet 14 separating the cylinder area from the, crank chambers, and longitudinal crankcase foot members 15, 16 on either lateral side of the crankcase. Between said top plate 13 and foot members 15, 16, the form of structure conferring rigidity upon the frame and transmitting stresses between the members, is an interconnected system of trianguloid or cruciform pattern comprising members such as struts, rods, tubes or shaped units 17 to 26, arranged in lattice formation between the said longitudinal members to form therewith an interconnected and repeated trianguloid or cruciform pattern. It should be noted that, in each case, the members 17 to 26 form segments of the lattice or geometrical pattern in intersecting angularly displaced pairs with each member intersecting with the corresponding member to form either triangular or cruciform segments to make up the trianguloid or cruciform pattern. Each individual strut, rod, tube or shaped unit of the said system lies oblique with respect to the cylinder axes, and each end of each member is substantially coincident 'with an end of at least one other member, the whole system forming a repeated pattern of substantially trianguloid or cruciform motif. Reference to the said pattern will be clarified by the drawing, in which it will be readily seen that each part of the basic frame in relation to adjacent parts builds up a lattice or cruciform motif repeated throughout the structure. This particular configuration may also be seen to build up a repeated motif of triangular outline. Each cylinder 27 is substantially surrounded by members of the said system lying oblique with respect to the cylinder axis.

The bed plate frame 12 includes longitudinal members 28, 29, parallel to the crankshaft on either side-and lateral plate or sheet members 30 in a plane normal to the crankshaft axis separating the crank chambers and serving to support main journal crankshaft bearings 31 and shell housings 32. therefor. The only structural part conferring rigidity upon the frame and transmitting stresses between the parts 23, 29, and 30, is an interconnected system of trianguloid or cruciform pattern comprising struts, rods, tubes or shaped units 33 to 42 arranged in lattice formation as described in connection with the crankcase; The axis of each individual strut, rod, tube or shaped unit to the cylinder axes and an end of another member;

Throughout both housing and 'bedplate of the frame structure, all members are secured together where they cross or meet and where their ends or corners coincide. Housing and bedplate are secured together by means such as bolts and nuts-indicated at 43, which also secure lateral members 30 and all members terminatingsubstantially at the location of each fastening means 43. Housing and bedplate are each designed to contribute to the rigidity of The. individual the combined basicframe structure. struts, rods, tubes or shapedimembens may be unitary, or alternatively may be built up frompsmailer units joined together by connecting'pieces. .For example, members and a bedplate frame 12. Housing 11 includes longitudinal members parallel to a crankshaft FIGURE 1 is applied; 7

Ii -2d may be four separate uni-ts joined by connecting piece 44 welded or screwed thereto, or may be two separate units composed of the units now numbered 17 and 29 being one unit .and the units now numbered 18 and 19 being one unit, and the two units joined together where they cross, at 44. The same applies to members 21-24 joined by connecting piece 45, 33-36 joined by connecting piece 46, and 37-40 joined by connecting piece 47. Another example of a connecting piece is shown at 48 where at least three members terminate at plate 13.

FIGURE 4 shows a different construction of part of the frame structure, in particular different methods of building up and connecting the members. Cylinder housing top plate 13 and intermediate plate 14 are ghosted for clarity. A comparison of the view in the direction of arrow C with FIGURE 2 will show differences. In FIG- URE 4, shaped members 49-59 are welded to form the same basic structure. In the view in the direction of arrow D, shaped members 50 and 59-65 are also welded to form the same basic structure as in FIGURE 1. Members 66-70 are additional end-members.

FIGURES 5 and 6 shown an embodiment of the invention in which the frame is designed for an engine consisting of two banks of cylinders in a V formation and having an underslung crankshaft. The crankshaft is carried by the frame instead of a separate bedplate. Thus, whereas in the description of the previous embodiment, those of FIGURES 1 to 4, the references to a structure in two parts have been to .a housing on the one hand and a bedplate on the other, in' this present embodiment, although there is no bedpla-te there are still the two separate parts, one in the bottom plate 71 serving to tie the two sides of the frame together; and the other is a bearing block '72 secured to the housing frame.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show a frame designed for an engine with in line cylinders, also having an underslung crankshaft. Two vertical members '73 and 74 are introduced for each main journal bearing, serving to transmit the firing load to the lattice members, partly at least via the longitudinal members already described. Again there is'no bedplate, and the two parts are the bottom plate 75 and the bearings block 76.

What I claim is:

l. A frame structure for a machine in which forces in one part of the machine, due for instance to change in volume of gas orgases, have an interacting cause-andeffect relation with other forces for instance, torque in a crankshaft carried by hearings in another part of the machine, wherein said frame structure connects the said two parts of the machine and at least includes a series of linear members arranged in pairs, each member being disposed in angular intersecting relationship to the corresponding member of that pair substantially to absorb the torsional component at least of the reactionary forces between said two parts. r

2. A frame structure for a machine, said frame structure consisting of two main parts, which may be constructed integrally in two separate parts, and later secured together, namely, a housing and a bedplate, said structure having longitudinal, members parallel to the axis of the principal rotating member to support static operating members, and lateral members in a plane normal to the said axisto support main journal bearings, is characterised in that at least most of the loads and forces to which the structure is subject are applied to the said longitudinal and lateral members. and are transmitted from one said member to any of the other members at least in the major part by an interconnected system of structural members arranged in pairs, eachmember being disposed in angular intersecting relationship to the corresponding member-of that pair. e

3. Aframe structure according to claim 2, in which the said interconnected system of members comprises rod shaped units arrangedin lattice formation between said 'longitudinal and lateral members to form therewith an area's/a4 interconnected and repeated pattern of substantially trianguloid motif.

4. A frame structure according to claim 2, in which the said interconnected system of cruciform members comprises rod shaped units arranged in lattice formation between said longitudinal and lateral members to form an interconnected and repeated pattern of substantially cruciform motif.

5. A frame structure according to claim 3 in which each end and corner of each geometrical segment of the pattern formed by said units is substantially coincident with an end of at least one other segment.

6. A frame structure according to claim 3 in which all the said members are secured together where they cross and where their ends coincide.

7. A frame structure for a machine having cylinders in which gas pressures and mechanical forces external to the relatively moving parts are carried by two parts of the said frame structure comprising: a housing in which all the structural members except the longitudinal members parallel to the axis of a principal rotating member are lattices oblique with respect to the cylinders, each individual member of each lattice crossing at least one other individual lattice member and each end of each lattice member being substantially coincident with the end of at least one other lattice member; and a bedplate in which all the structural members except the longitudinal members parallel to the said axis and the lateral journal bearing members are lattices lying in planes parallel to the said axis, each individual lattice member crossing at a least one other lattice member and each end of each lattice member being substantially coincident with the end of at least one other lattice member.

8. A frame structure for a machine in which gas and inertia forces are carried and transmitted by members in planes normal to the axis of a principal rotating memher; in which torque reaction is carried by cruciform members arranged in lattice formation in planes parallel til to the said axis; and in which externally applied mecl1anical forces are carried by members parallel to the said axis, cooperating with the other said members.

9. A frame structure for a machine having a plurality of cylinders in which each cylinder is radially surrounded by a system of structural members arranged in interconnected cruciform lattice formation.

10. A frame structure for a machine which comprises at least two webs joined together seriatim by pairs of at least six struts so arranged that at least two struts are attached to each web at each point of attachment.

11. A frame structure according to claim 4 in which the end of each geometrical segment of the pattern formed by said units is substantially coincident with an end of at least one other segment.

12. A frame structure according to claim 4 in which all of the said members are secured together where they cross and where their ends coincide.

13. A frame structure for a machine in which gas and inertia forces are carried and transmitted by members in planes normal to the axis of a principal rotating member; in which torque reaction is carried by trianguloid members arranged in lattice formation in planes parallel to the said axis; and in which externally applied mechanical forces are carried by members parallel to the said axis, cooperating with the other said members.

14. A frame structure for a machine having a plurality of cylinders in which each cylinder is radially surrounded by a system of structural members arranged in interconnected trianguloid lattice formation.

References (Ii-ted by the Examiner UNITED STATES lATENTS 380,195 3/88 Dean 230-235 1,382,811 6/21 Sullivan 92-161 2,341,488 2/44 Taylor 123-195 KARL J. ALBRECHT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FRAME STRUCTURE FOR A MACHINE IN WHICH FORCES IN ONE PART OF THE MACHINE, DUE FOR INSTANCE TO CHANGE IN VOLUME OF GAS OR GASES, HAVE AN INTERACTING CAUSE-ANDEFFECT RELATION WITH OTHER FORCES FOR INSTANCE, TORQUE IN A CRANKSHAFT CARRIED BY BEARINGS IN ANOTHER PART OF THE MACHINE, WHEREIN SAID FRAME STRUCTURE CONNECTS THE SAID TWO PARTS OF THE MACHINE AND AT LEAST INCLUDES A SERIES OF LINEAR MEMBERS ARRANGED IN PAIRS, EACH MEMBER BEING DISPOSED IN ANGULAR INTERSECTING RELATIONSHIP TO THE CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THAT PAIR SUBSTANTIALLY TO ABSORB THE TORSIONAL COMPONENT AT LEAST OF THE REACTIONARY FORCES BETWEEN SAID TWO PARTS. 